Light snow is seen in the desert in Tabuk region in this picture taken on Thursday amid a cold spell that is sweeping the kingdom. Riyadh is expected to have subzero temperatures. (SPA)

The cold weather which resumed in the capital this week after a long spell of relatively warm weather will continue next week with cloudy skies and light rain.

The General Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has forecast sandstorms whipped by cold winds blowing at high speed and light rain during the next 48 hours in the central and eastern regions.

Strong northwesterly winds were recorded at 27km per hour on Thursday.

The minimum temperature dropped to single digit with the mercury plummeting to 2°C on Thursday. The PME predicted it will go down to 1°C on Friday and -1°C on Saturday, the lowest during this winter season so far.

Riyadh residents were once again seen wearing warm clothes after a relative warm weather for a week.

The weather is expected to improve Monday onward.

The Civil Defense has urged city’s residents to follow preventive measures to protect themselves from cold and flu.

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